Perceptions of women's treatment in engineering education: From the voices of male and female students

Abstract

Despite the well-documented under-representation of women in higher education engineering programs, little research has probed the perceptions of gendered treatment of women as compared to men in these programs. Such information may be important in helping young women navigate the complex social and academic requirements of the major, and to illuminate men students and faculty to their contributions to the environment. This study uses a web questionnaire and interviews with sophomore engineering students to address this research question. The themes that emerged regarding perceptions of treatment of females in engineering indicate male and female students view the treatment of females differently both between and within gender groups. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.